History of China I

0-3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course is the first part of the Chinese history survey. It introduces the territorial, political, social, and cultural transformations that have shaped the places we call China today and challenge any singular definition of it. Equal parts content and critique, it introduces the histories of “China” since ancient times, but primarily between 750 and 1700. Throughout the course, we will focus on the role of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism in shaping societies and cultures, the relations between the state, elites, and commoners, the changing gender and family relations, and the flow of people, ideas, goods, and technology between China and the rest of the world. This class fulfills a Core History survey requirement for College and SFS students. It is introductory and has no prerequisites. It assumes limited prior knowledge of China that you may acquire from news, social media, formal education, travel, and other educational and personal experiences. Chinese language skills are not expected.